In late May 2024, a commercial applicator applied herbicides to a field adjacent to a 10-acre commercial field containing squash and melon. It was a windy day and the product drifted and damaged the entire cucurbit field. Although unintentional, this was an off-label application of several products and is not permitted. The grower contacted UK Extension, starting with his county agent. That agent contacted KDA to document the damage as well as UK Extension Vegetable Specialist, Rachel Rudolph. Rachel Rudolph and JD Green, UK Weed Specialist, visited the farm and walked the affected field with both the grower and the commercial applicator. Drs. Rudolph and Green surveyed the damage and determined that the crop could not be salvaged. 

In order to assist the grower with the compensation from the insurance company, Rachel Rudolph determined the potential yield per acre loss for the affected crops--squash, zucchini, winter squash, and melon. She reported these values and then spoke to the insurance adjuster. UK Extension was able to provide a quick response to this situation as well as non-biased information and expert knowledge to help the grower recover approximately $200,000 in compensation from the insurance company. This compensation made it possible for him to continue operating. The 2022 Census of Agriculture (USDA 2023) indicated that there were fewer acres of vegetable production in Kentucky in 2022 now than there were in 2017. It is more important than ever to support vegetable growers and keep them operational and profitable. 

REFERENCES

USDA. 2023. Table 36. Vegetables, potatoes, and melons harvested for sale: 2022 and 2017. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_1_State_Level/Kentucky/st21_1_036_036.pdf